Return header



Oct. 13, 1931.

P. Y. DUFFEE RETURN HEADER Filed Jan. 27, `1950 2 HF L.

40 tance between the tu Patented Oct. 13, 1931 FAD Y.. BUFFER F SPRINGFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOB. T@ T @EIO STEEL FOUNDRY GOMPANY, 0F LIMA., ORIG, CDRPUP TIUN 0F @EIO Application med January 2?, E93@ Serial No. tenete.

This invention relates to improvements in returns headers for high'pressure pipe lines, and more particularly to an assembly including a U-tting for connecting the ends of pipes or'tubes such as used in high-pressure stills and cracking units in oil refining installations and the like. v

'llhe object of the invention is to provide a header which will permit of ready removal `l@ oi the lli-htting to aord access to the tubes for cleaning, and when assembled, to oiier a pressure tight connection and a smooth stream line ow between the tube ends.

A preferred embodiment of my invention M is disclosed in the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is a view in longitudinal section throu h a return header employing the imi prove assembly.

Figure 2 is a view in transverse section E through the header as taken on line 2-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the assembly. Figure 4 is a bottom view of one of the locking sleeves removed, and

Figure 5 is a bottom view of one lsection of the header as taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 1, the return header ,3b assembly is mounted at the ends o two parallel tubes 1, 1 terminating in close proximity to each other. A base member 2consistin of a pair of collars, 2a, 2a integrally joine 'by a web 2b, isitted over the ends of the tubes a short distance below their extremities, the collars being of a slightly eater diameter than the tubes to insure a s ightly lfm it the distance between the centers or tne collars being goportioned to the diss so that'once applied,

the base member maintains the ends of the tubes in alignment.

Fixed tothe ends`of the tubes are nipplelike end fittings 3 3 which are recessed to receive the tube ends, the passage throughout tin s. `traddling the outer ends of the end itntings is a U-itting or bend 4 having a passage therethrough describing an arc of 180. The ends of the U-fitting seat upon the outer ends of the end fittings 3, 3 which are tapered and rounded slightly as at 3c, while the ends of the U-iitting are recessed with an internal straight tapered or beveled seat 4a, thus forming a variation of the ball joint.

The ends of the 'U-ittin are. held or clamped to their seats in lea -tight connection with the end fittings on the tubes by means of a pair of demountable sleeves 5, 5 having the form of a hollow cylindric casing extending axially with respect. to the tubes and beyond the 'U-fitting 4. The lower por tions 5a of these sleeves are circular in form and surround the tube ends while the up er portions 5b have sections cut away so t at they are substantially semicircular in crosssections with their open sides facing inwardly and toward each other.

These sleeves 5, 5 are anchored tothe base member 2 by a t pe of bayonet lock connection with the co lars 2a, 2a, as will now be l described. The base member is cast with circumferential grooves about the collars 2a, 2a,

thereby forming integral flan-ges 2c, 2c atgroups or inwardly projecting lugs 5c, or (Figure d) which register vvith the recesses 20E in the flanges 2c oit the base member 2., 'lhus by dropping each sleeve over the recessed flanges of the base member and 'turning them axially through d50., the tvvo parts are locked together, it being` noted that the. groove or channel separating' the two flanges 2o, 2c

oi the collars 2a is slightly vvider than that olf the lugs 5o, so that the connection can loe readily made Without loinding. These sleeves are anchored to the base member before the ll-tting is mounted in place, in order that they may be turned through the arcs necessary for completing` the. locking connections With their open sides facing inwardly and tovvard each other. it this point in the assembly the upper ends of the sleeves are open, so that the llitting; can be easily dropped into place, whereupon the locking natures 'for said ll-Fitting are applied, as will now he descrihed:

The upper edges ot the sleeves 5, fvvhich extend through an arc ot slightly greater than a semi-circle, as shovvn in lligrure 3, are internally flanged to form downwardly 'facing shoulders 5d, 5d., and in the vvall oi each sleeve is an opening; 5e located centrally oit the upper edge and immediately below the shoulder 5d.

Mounted at the upper ends ot the sleeves 5, 5 are demountable locking' fixtures 6, @a which are held in place by the shoulders 5d and openings 5a These lixtures have the form or metal loloclrs or plates generally circular in shape and having a marginal Harige '601 of the same arc and radius as the sleeve belovv the shoulder 5d, and a lug 6h project ingr radially trom the flange. rlhe central portion or each irture tapers to a substantial thickness and mounted therein is a set screvv 'r1 .ds shovvn in Figures l and 2, a Xture li is inserted or fitted into the upper end ot each. sleeve so that the lug ti?) registers vvith the op ening 5e and the danges engage beneath the shoulder 5d, this being accomplished by sliding the hloclr into place trom the inner open side of the sleeve. rlhe set screw 7, 7 are turned up vvhile the ixtures 5 are being inserted in place and then turned down to bringtheir lovver ends into contact vvith lugs do, lo cast on the outer surface of 'the lll-hitting in alignment With the center lines oli the tuhes l, l, the pressure ot the set screvvs against the ll-titting drawing all ont the parts tightly together in leali-tight connection.

To remove the lll-ii'tting Ll, it is only necessary toloosen the set screws 7, 7, and remove the lirtures 6, whereupon the U-itting can he lifted out, thus leaving; a clear opening ier introducing the cleaning tools into the open ends of the tubes.

Among the advantages of the return bend herein disclosed may be mentioned the simplicity or construction, the ease ot assembly and maintenance, the aceessihilty et the 'tubes tor cleaning, the smooth stream line 'which reduces both erosion and corrosion in a considerable degree, and the ability to maire the several parts oi the metal or alloy best suited to render maximum servicea l claim as my invention:

l. A return header for connecting the ends ot a pair of parallel tubes conuorisino4 a oase member having; collars through which the ends or said tubes pro]a ect, end Fittings Welded to the ends ot said tubes, cylindric sleeves extendingl axially with respect to each tube and having locking connection at their lovver ends vvith the collars of said base member, a Uditting removably seating1 upon said end littines with their contacting1 ends *forming ball `ioirrts, and locking members removably mounted in the outer ends of said sleeves and includinga set screvvs bear-ins" against said llttino' in arial alignment vvith said tubes.

2. A return header for connecting the ends of parallel tubes comprising" a base member consisting ot a pair ot connected collars through which the ends oi said tubes proiect, end 'Fittings havinga annular recesses into which the tuhe ends are inserted and Welded and rounded outer ends. cylindric sleeves open at their ends and adapted to have dem tachable locking connections at their lovv'er ends with the collars ot said basemember.. a ll-tittinoseatingP at its ends upon said end littings. said sleeves having; Wall sections removed adjacent their outer ends and internal marginal flanges., demountable loclrinoq iin tures havingA marginal bearing" contact TWith said *flanges and provided with set screvvs bearing' against said ll-iitting in arial align ment vvith said tubes.

3. A return header 'tor connecting the ends of parallel tubes comprising a base member consisting` of connected collars adapted to be slipped over the ends or said tubes. end tittinsrrs nermanentlv 'fixed to the ends oiE said tubes. sleeves having; demoun'talole connection with said collars and extendino axially bevond said tube end fittings. a lll-littineF adapted to connect send tubes with openings seatirmE upon said end fittings, and loclri'nrz fixtures removably supported at the outer ends ot said sleeves and adapted to exert pressure on said l.l-litting axially of said tubes` l. A return header :tor connecting the ends ot parallel tubes comprising; end fittings adapted to be permanently fixed to ends oit said tubes, a easing; enclosing` said tube end fittings and the space there beyond, and

having a separate base through which the ends ot said tubes are inserted loezore said end fittings are applied, and sleeve-like members having locking connection with said base, a U-itting seating on said end ittings, and an adjustable pressure member mounted.

at the outer ends of said sleeve-like members and bearing a ainst said U-fitting.

5. A. return eader for connecting the endsv of the parallel tubes comprising a pair of connected collars adapted to fit loosely over the'ends of said tubes, and to abut against end fittings permanently fixed to the ends of said tubes, a U-itti'ng ada ted to 'connect said tubes with its ends in earing contact with said end fittings, a pair of sleeves having cylindric base. portions adapted for locking connection with said collars, and locking members adapted to be mounted at the outer ends of said sleeves and bearing on said U- tting.

` Signed at Springfield, Ohio, this 17th day of January, 1930.

PAUL Y. DUFF EE. 

